SMEs and Lourdes: the military pilgrimage

Did you know that once a year, soldiers from all over the world go on pilgrimage to the French country? Let's deepen the knowledge of the SMEs.

The international military pilgrimage is called PMI. The first pilgrimage took place in 1958 on the occasion of centennial of the apparitions of Lourdes. The idea came to Bishop Badre, who invited foreign delegations joining NATO to observe this tradition. Werthman, the vicar of Armèes allemandes de les rejoindre, was also invited. He accepted the invitation and along with many chaplains States from all over the world, they had a meeting.

The meeting in Fontainebleau served to establish the modalities of the first PMI. In fact, a preparatory meeting is still held every year in October to organize and define the guidelines for the next SME.

What does the trip to Lourdes represent and what is the meaning of PMI?

Every year the pilgrimage it has a very specific message, but the main purpose is to invoke Peace. In fact, we must start from the assumption that the military is not a warmonger. We can quote one of the most famous encyclicals published by Pope John XXIII "PACEM IN TERRIS". On earth there is no peace and it is as if heaven puts everyone to attention militar, a sky almost concerned with the earth. A heaven that wants peace to reign on earth. Peace is lived in Lourdes, because it is lived God through the beauty of Maria.

A Lourdes builds the medium-high pace. The military go to Lourdes because they have understood that their profession is an action in support of peace. Furthermore, the PMI offers an excellent opportunity for cultural exchange. Military men from all over the world, of different colors and uniforms of all kinds, gather, leaving them a well-engraved mark in the memory that they will carry inside for a lifetime. The PMI usually occurs in mid-May and has now reached 63 anniversary.